What Goes Into Building An LED Wall

Adding an LED wall can enhance the experience for any event production. LED walls allow for plenty of creativity in terms of media and functionality for large-scale live events with a lot of attendees.??

What is an LED wall??

LED stands for "light-emitting diode." An LED display is a screen display method using large panels of LED lights to display a video or picture.??

Warning?

Please use caution when working with electrical units. While building an LED wall can be rewarding, it also has its risks, as does anything involving technology and electricity.??

Building the LED wall?

Location?

Choosing the location for your LED wall is the first step. You want to mount it in a spot with a lot of visual traffic to ensure that your display image/video gets ample attention. Understanding the size of your event venue will determine where your LED wall should be placed. Additionally, it is important to decide if the LED wall will be used as more of a "visual aid" or a "main event".??

• Visual aid?

If using the LED wall as a visual aid, you want it somewhere that is easily visible but not overwhelming. For example, one might install an LED wall to display a speaker or performer in a large venue, so those who are not close to the stage are still getting the most exposure they can from their respective locations. However, you do not want these screens to interfere with the view from those who have a closeup vantage point?

• Main event?

If your purpose with this LED screen is to have your "main event" displayed, the same rules do not apply. For example, suppose you are displaying an art installation on the screen. In that case, you want it to be dead center, allowing all viewers to see the image or video with as much clarity as possible.??

• Things to consider?

1. What will I be displaying?
2. Is there the necessary tools nearby (outlet, wifi/internet access)?
3. Is my wall the right size?

Measuring?

Measuring your event production space is critical, whether it's an in-home LED wall or a large-scale concert venue. You need to know your installation location's height, width, length, and depth. This must be done prior to ordering the parts required to build your LED wall, as they will determine what you are ordering. In addition to knowing the measurements, it is essential to factor in weight to ensure the mounting setup is equipped to support the total weight.??

Pixel Pitch?

Pixel pitch will be determined by the size of your event venue along with the type of media you will display. Having the wrong pixel pitch could reap an undesired outcome, such as the image being blurry or hyper-pixelated. Because of this, it is essential to factor in where your audience will be standing in relation to the LED wall. As a general rule, the lower the pixel pitch, the better for the closeup viewer. This is less necessary for a larger live event production such as a concert, where none of the audience is viewing the LED media at a close-range.??

?Rear vs. front mounting/mounting hardware?

• Rear mounting means that the cabinets are fixed from the back, and the LED modules are attached to the cabinet via magnets. The benefit of a rear mount is that you are able to access the LED hardware and display frame and do maintenance.??
• Front mounting hardware differs in that it is mounted directly onto a wall opening. If your venue does not allow you to access the back of the video wall for maintenance, this is the advised route. It is important to note that to disassemble a front mounting LED screen, you will need a specialized suction tool.?

?Hooking up your media/compatibility?

Not all software is created equal. It is not a guarantee that all software is going to be compatible with your LED wall, therefore it is important to always check that your LED system is compatible with whatever device you are using to display your media (mac, windows, a projector, raspberry pie, etc.).?

?One vs. two screens?

The option to use one wall versus two comes down to venue size. Suppose you are hosting a large-scale live event with a lot of attendees. In that case, you may decide to use two LED screens instead of one in order to ensure all attendees have the same opportunity for viewership.?

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When hosting a live event, whether it be a concert, conference, or art installation, the choice to use an LED screen can significantly enhance the attendees' experience. There is a lot that goes into building an LED wall, from weight and measurements to picking the right mounting method. Regardless of the route you take when building an LED wall, the utilization of the technology will significantly enhance your next live event.?